Curtain stretcher



Jan. 31, 1928.

M. KOTT CURTAIN STRETGHER Filed Maren 11. 1926.

2 Sheets-Sheet l [NVENTOR ATTORNEYS Jan.'3l, 1928. M. KOTT CURTAIN STRETCHER Filed March 11. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet v INVENTOR V .MZJwLeZfi btt J2 BY ATTORNEYS Patented a... 31, 1928. v

UNITED STATES MICHAEL KOT T, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CURTAIN STRETGI-IER.

Application fi1cd March 11, 1926. Serial No. 93,998.

This invention relates to a curtain stretcher. 1

An object of the invention is toprovide a curtain stretcher which avoids the necessity of using pins in the frame of the stretcher gripping the curtain. A further object is to provide a curtain stretcher which will grip the curtain firmly along its edges and stretch it evenly.

A further object is to provide a suitable frame which can be very quickly and easily fastened to the curtain and removed therefrom when desired. 1 i

A still further object is to provide a frame which can bereadily disassembled and folded away in a small, compact unit.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings, of which Figure 1 is a plan view of the stretcher shown applied to, a curtain.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2 -2 of Figure 1; j i i Figure 3 isa section on the line 3 -,3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4& of Figure 1; i t

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 1; i i t Figure 6 is a section on the line 66 of Figure 1. t

Figure 7 is a section 'Figure 1. v j

The form of the invention shown in the drawings is a preferred form, although it is understood that modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts and in the character of the material used may on the line 77 of be adopted without departing from the;

spirit of the invention as set forth in the 49 appended claim.

In its general. aspect the invention includes a frame comprising'side and end members, each of which .is foldable so that when folded and put away it will occupy a much smaller space than when operatively assembled. Each of the members com prises a pair of hinged sections, preferably hinged along their outside longitudinal edges and adapted to grip the edges of the 0 curtains between them. They are preferably held in this gripping relation by suitable removable clamps; The foldable sections can be held in their operative positions by means of latch members which, when they 5 are withdrawn, will permit the sections to be folded.

Preferably the side sections are foldable in one plane at right angles to the plane in which the curtain lies when it is stretched, whereas the end sections are foldable in the same plane with the plane of the curtain.

In applying the device the side sections are extended and latched in this position and then the pivoted portions are separated suiiiciently far to insert therebetween the side edges of the curtain after which the sections are clainped on to the curtain by means of the removable clamps. The end sections of the curtain are then attached to the end edges of the curtain and before these sections have been fully stretched to their ultimate position after the curtain has been properly clamped between the end sections, each are fastened to the opposite ends of the side sections and arev then moved to their fully extended position during which movement the curtain is properly stretched.

In the preferred form of the invention shown in the drawings, I provide two side sections which are foldable, each of the side sect-ions comprising longitudinally disposed strips 10 and 11, hinged at their outside longitudinal edges by hinges such as 12 and 13. These; strips are split as at 14. and are bendable so as to be folded together. when not in use. A hinge 15 is provided along these split portions to permit them to be folded. The top of one strip adjacent the joint or split is provided with a plate 16 which extends over the top of the adjoining section across the joint. This plate being provided with an aperture 17 through which a metal lic eye 18 extends. This eye receives a pin 19 which holds the portions of the side sections intheir extended position.

Preferably along one end on each side section it is provided with a series of holes 20 extending through both the upper and lower strips. These holes are for the purpose of permittingthe end sections tobe fixed tem-, porarily'to the side sections at the required distance apart. in accordance with the size of the curtain being stretched.

hen the curtain is to be stretched it is clamped between the hinged strips 10 and 11 of the side sections as shown in Figure 3, the curtain being represented by the numeral 21. The fact that the upper and lower strips are hinged together will permit them to be separated so that the curtain can be inserted therebetween. The strips are held clamped on the curtaln by means of spring plates 22 and 23, the front ends of which engage the upper and lower strips, the rear ends of which are adjustably separated by an adjusting screw 24-; The strips are pivoted to a spacer member 25 held between the plates preferably by a bolt 26. If desired these clamping members can be removable from the sections or as shown in Figure 5 they can be fastened permanently thereto by any suitable means such as bolts 27 which connect the lower plate 23 permanently to the lower strip 11 of the section. In order to unclam the sections the screw 24 is loosened and then the upper plate can be swung sideways with-respect to the lower plate to permit the upper section 10 to be moved to the dotand dash position shown in Figure 5 so that the curtain can be withdrawn. It will be noticed that the latching arrangement shown in Figure 2 when released or unlatched will permit the side section to be moved or folded in a plane at right angles to the plane of the curtain when stretched. Therefore, when attaching the frame to the curtain the side elements of the frame are moved to their extended position and latched in this position, after which the upper and lower strips are separated to permit of the insertion therebetween of the edge of the curtain. The strips are then clamped on the curtain as described.

The ends of the curtain are fastened for.

which purpose endbar sections are provided. These end bar sections each comprise upper andlower sections 28, 29, SO and 31, hinged along their rear edges as at 32 to permit them to be separated to receive the edge of the curtain. plate 33 for longitudinal movement in the plane of'the curtain, this plate extending across between theadjacent edges of the portions of the end sections. On opposite sides of the join between these portions are disposed keepers 34 and 35 which, when alined as shown in Figures 1 and 6. will receive a latch bar 36 so that they will beheld in their extended position. 7

In order to apply the end sections of the curtain the end sections are at their opposite ends each fastened to the side sections of the frame by means of bolts 37 having wingnuts 38 on the bottom. These bolts extend through openings in the bottom strips of the end sections and in the top and bet dash position shown in Figure 1.

The sections are hinged to a tom strips of the side sections. In other words these bolts pass through the holes 20 above mentioned. The holes into which these bolts are disposed are dctcrn'iined in accordance with where the end of the curtain comes on the side sections.

After the end sections are thus fastened with respect to the side sections, the top and bottom strips of the end sections are opened to receive the ends of the curtain. This is done before the end sections are extended and while they are in the dot and After the curtain has been received between the top and bottom strips of the end sections these strips are then claimaed together as above mentioned and are moved to their extended position as shown in full line in Figure 1. hen this takes place the sliding bar 30 moved into position to hold the end eections.

It will be observed that this frame requires no pins which pass through the edges of the curtain. it is also observed that the frame can be folded up into a comparatively small size when not in use. it also to be observed that when applying the end sections of the curtain and moving them to their operative positions the curtain becomes fully stretched.

What I claim is:

A curtain stretcher frame including upper and lower side strips between which the curtain may be clamped, hinges connect inc; said upper and lower strips and clamps providiul on said strips for holding the same in clamping relation to the cm 1'1. said clamp: car-h comprising the following instrumcntalities: a clamp plate secured at one end to one of said strips and extending transversely therefron'i. a second plate adapted at one end to overlie the other of said strips. a screw extending through the other end of the sceoml mentioned plate and bearing against the first mentioned plate to eti'ect a clamping; action on the strips, a transverse pivot pin e.\:- tending through both plates intermediate their ends and a sparing member l.)(.ij-.V(-.II the plates intermediate their ends and through which said pin also extends. the upper plate beingadapted to turn on said pin when said screw loosened.

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